Newspaper Article

Beyond the Simple Theme / Orlando rooms choices range from kid- centric to continental

Michael Schuman. Michael Schuman is a freelance writer

2003

Overview

Prefer a locale on theme park property? In September 1999 Universal Orlando opened its first on-site lodging, Portofino, a major step in making this movie wonderland an all-inclusive resort. On a trip to Italy several years ago, Steven Spielberg was awed by the Mediterranean coast-hugging hamlet of Portofino. Spielberg suggested it as a model for a new hotel about to be built in Orlando; and nobody argues with Spielberg. From the trompe l'oeil paintings coating the hotel's exterior to the uneven roofline to the waterside piazza, accuracy is a hallmark of this pseudo Italy, right down to the imported olive trees. Everything at the Peabody Orlando, 27 stories high and 891 rooms full, is ducky. The soap in the guest rooms comes in the shape of ducks. Ask to take home your leftovers at the Peabody's B-Line Diner and your food comes wrapped in a tinfoil duck. The paintings on the walls at Dux, the hotel's signature restaurant, are of ducks. But no matter how hard we tried, we couldn't find duck in any form on the menu. 1) Universal Studios Photo - For those who crave a bit of continental luxury on theme-park location, the Portofino Bay Hotel brings a taste of seaside Italy to Universal Orlando. 2) Peabody Orlando Hotel Photo - At the Orlando Peabody, the \"Duck Master\" puts his charges through their paces, left: 3) Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort Photo - birds also rule the roof of the Swan winge of the Swan and Dolphin at Disney World, below. 4) Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort Photo - A \"Kidsuite,\" above, awaits inside a room at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort at Lake Buena Vista

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